Chapter Text
Pentagram city was as wonderfully wretched as always. Any other day out on a stroll, Alastor would’ve enjoyed himself in the chaos and happily engaged in some of his own. Perhaps a little mayhem with a light lunch of sinners later on. Go to his tailor and get a few new outfits for himself and his son. Maybe even find some knickknacks for his boy to bring back with him, a new book or a toy even. After all, it was only a few days away from Takuma’s fourteenth birthday and his son was notorious for being hard to buy for. Not that he would hate anything he was given but that he never asked or desired anything more than what he already had. Spoiling Takuma was difficult when he was always so grateful for even the smallest things Alastor gave him.
Today, however, was a stressful walk and a need to watch every alley movement and every side eye from a sinner. Because today he was out with both Morningstar children.
Vaggie, Lilith and Lucifer were setting up for a surprise party and Takuma was anything but oblivious when it came to these types of things. He’d suss out the party in record time. Everything so far had to be on the blasted phone in a private chat. Things bought and sent to the estate and brought to the hotel in secret. Even then Charlie almost gave it all away by asking far too specific questions about the guest list and favorite ice creams. He had to step in and manipulate the conversation.
Which is how Charlie talked them into a little window shopping in the city.
They could have gone to the Geotia side of the Pride Ring. As much as Alastor despised the Geotia’s better than thou acts, their streets were much safer for his baby to walk.
Takuma kept making faces beside him whenever a rotted piece of flesh, arm, leg or intestine came into view. His baby was a bit spoiled in that regard, never having to be around the worse parts of Hell and fed with a silver spoon behind the walls of the hotel and his personal playground of the bayou. At least Takuma didn’t have the desire to explore past where Alastor walked, too disgusted at large by the way everyone around them acted and the smell of rotting garbage in certain parts of the city. There were nice parts of Pentagram city, which they were on their way to. But the walk was still long and Charlie insisted on getting their steps.
”TK there’s a cute little boutique when we get to Pentagram square, you’ll love it. Maybe we can go to the arcade as well.” She babbled with her normal enthusiasm and ignorance of the world around her.
Takuma gave a disinterested hum of agreement as he stepped over something steaming. “Yeah, sounds great Charlie.”
He sounded like this was her worst idea yet and Takuma was usually onboard with most ideas his sister schemed. Charlie didn’t notice his dissent and kept yapping about places they could go and where they could eat lunch. Takuma hummed in at the appropriate times while switching from one side of Alastor to the other to avoid people and potholes. Finally, Takuma decided that he was done with avoiding the things on the sidewalk and would just avoid the ground entirely by climbing Alastor like a ladder and wrapping his arms around Alastor’s neck and legs around his waist.
Alastor’s right eye twitched and his smile went flat. Eyes cut to the side when Takuma’s face popped up over his shoulder to give him a very unimpressed look.
Yes, Alastor babied the Hell out of his son. Yes, he did enjoy having him close and seeing him be persnickety about things. But being climbed like a jungle gym while they were out and about around other sinners who should fear him not stop and gawk at his baby’s audacity.
He intended to say as much but then Takuma gave a little tilt to his head, smiled so sweetly with big blue eyes behind large wire-framed glasses. Cute little fangs poking out from under his lip and black and white tipped ears swiveled to give Alastor his full attention.
Alastor caved like a gingerbread house under too much frosting. He loved his boy too much to stay annoyed with him. Besides, he couldn't carry Takuma like he used to. Only a few months ago could he scoop him up, but now Takuma had a growth spurt and was at the top of Alastor’s rib cage. The days of carrying his baby were gone in the blink of an eye and it made his heart hurt in a way he never thought possible. It made him yearn for days he would never experience, a tiny Takuma trying to keep up with too short toddler legs and Alastor holding him in the crook of his elbow and against his side.
The arms around his neck gave a gentle squeeze and Takuma nuzzled the side of their heads together with a happy chirp. No hesitation, no uncertainty in his movements and no fear that this love wasn’t something he could have. He knew he could have whatever he wanted and took it with confidence. Alastor leaned into the press of their cheeks and gave a rumble of his own from his more animalistic side. He turned after a moment and pressed a kiss to the apple of Takuma’s cheek and grinned when he gave a happy little warble.
The day he went from kit to fox would be the day Alastor crumbled like wet paper. The last bit of his baby being a baby would be gone. He had to soak this up like a sponge.
A phone snapping a picture made his hackles raise until he realized it was just Charlie.
”That’s going in the photo album!” She cheered and positioned to stand in front of them so Alastor stopped. “Say cheese and crackers!”
Alastor chuckled and smiled for her picture, feeling and hearing Takuma be a good sport as he tilted further into Alastor’s space and said Cheeeese in the cutest voice. And then Charlie trotted over and curled up against the feared Radio Demon’s side, wrapping her arm around his and holding her phone up to take a picture of all three of them together.
He had more patience than anyone gave him credit for. Children were all over him and he didn’t flinch. He deserved a medal.
”Alright!” Charlie cheered and wrapped her hand around his upper arm to pull him back down the street. “We’re almost to the shops!”
Takuma snickered into his shoulder. “The most feared demon in all of Hell.” He sang quietly.
“Hush you.” Alastor hissed. “I can still scare everyone if I feel like it.”
”Uh huh,” Takuma teased and hugged his neck tight. “I guess I just don’t see it.”
”You have no reason to fear me.” Alastor reminded him under his breath. “I’ve no reason to terrify you.”
Takuma snickered. “You bake cookies and style my hair, nothing about you is scary Papa.” He replied and to add to Alastor’s crumbling resolve and irritation at himself, Takuma gave him a kiss to the cheek and nuzzled under his chin.
”That’s the famous Radio Demon?”
”Yeah, apparently if you marry the King of Hell you become a housewife.”
”Mommy dearest and his little ducklings.”
The sinners laughed and Alastor’s eyes turned to dials. His neck cracked and elongated as he turned to those that dared insult him. Charlie’s grip on his arm tugged but he would not be disrespected—
“I got it, Papa!” Takuma’s sweet alto voice rang out and in the next second the three sinners were frozen as solid as ice sculptures.
”Takuma!” Charlie chided.
But Takuma just smiled for Alastor, proud to defend his Papa and be his partner in crime. Alastor was a bit surprised but then again no blood was shed and these idiots wouldn’t spend the next eternity stuck screaming in agony through the airwaves. So really, Charlie should be grateful and he said as much.
Charlie frowned and looked at the frozen sinners. “I hate that your logic makes sense…”
Alastor smirked and turned to shadows until he could turn in Takuma’s grip to hold him just for the moment. He really was too big to carry now but Alastor pulled him close and kissed his forehead.
”That’s my baby.” He cooed. “Terrorizing the sinners of Hell like a true demon.”
Takuma’s long fluffy tail wagged behind him as he hugged Alastor. “I don’t know about that but I’ll always have your back.”
Charlie sighed. “Honestly if Takuma was more like you Alastor all of Hell wouldn’t survive.”
Alastor grinned into Takuma’s hair. “True, but he’s perfect just as he is, just a little evil to make the sweet balance out.”
When Alastor let go so Takuma could drop to his feet, the fox demon held tight to his neck with his knees up.
”Wait no, the ground is gross!”
Alastor laughed and threw him over his shoulder instead. “Fine then, carried like a sack of flour it is!”
Takuma yelped and then growled, using his tail to whack Alastor in the face. Charlie giggled and reminded him. “You have wings!”
Takuma blinked. “Oh, yeah.” And took out his wings to glide up and float along next to Alastor, he stuck out his tongue and Alastor snapped out to grab it.
”Don’t stick that tongue out at me unless you wish to lose it.” Alastor warned before he let it go.
Takuma covered his mouth and glared. “That was mean!”
Alastor snickered and grabbed his hand to keep him close. “I can’t be nice to you all the time, I am still trying to raise a gentleman.”
Takuma clicked his tongue and pulled his hand free to float on his back, putting his arms under his head. “I’m always a gentleman.”
Alastor rolled his eyes. “You’re being a lout right now, lounging like that and looking lazy.”
Takuma sighed and twirled around until he was back behind Alastor and wrapped his arms around his neck again while he floated along. “Better?”
Alastor did feel better having Takuma within reach. “It’ll do.” He murmured and patted his arms.
Charlie grinned at them and still held onto Alastor’s arm. “We should cut through an alley here, it’ll get us there quicker and save time.”
Alastor raised a brow at her. “My dear Charlie, I thought the blonde didn’t go straight to your brain.”
She scrunched up her brow. “What does that mean?”
”He’s saying he thought you weren’t that stupid.” Takuma answered for him. “Because, ya know, dark and nasty back alleys aren’t exactly the smart choice for shortcuts.”
Charlie blew them off and waved her free hand. “I do this all the time.”
Alastor furrowed his brow. “With your angel of death and flying goats?”
”Don’t call Vaggie the angel of death!” Charlie admonished and marched them towards the alley. “We’ll be fine, just don’t talk to anyone.”
Takuma frowned from his spot at Alastor’s shoulder. “Papa?”
He sighed and yanked Takuma out of the air to walk between them. “Stay close to me.”
The full body shiver Takuma gave when his shoes squelched on the ground was comical. “Why couldn’t we just go to another Ring?” He whined.
“This is our home and our people, we need to stay connected to them!” Charlie insisted.
Alastor imagined the scowl on his boy’s face as he grumbled. “My people are you, Papa, Dad and everyone back at the hotel. Everyone else is Papa’s lunch.”
Alastor burst out laughing, unable and unwilling to contain himself. “Ohh, my darling please never change, I love you so much!”
“Not enough to let me climb up on your back again.” He continued to grumble.
Alastor giggled and squeezed his shoulders. “Of course not, who knows what you’re stepping in right now. Can’t have that on my clothes.”
The pitiful and whiny sounds grew more annoying and honestly, Alastor loved it. This time last year he’d lost Takuma to another family that made his boy feel like he was the monster, like something was wrong with him. Made his baby believe living in the woods and trying to survive on his own again was the better option. That he would almost die to a mountain lion and Alastor would have lost him before he could find him. Being a normal and whiny, grumpy teen because his favorite parent—he is the favorite parent—wouldn’t let him do one thing when Alastor gave into Takuma far more than he denied him, was the absolute best future he could ask for.
”Your whines are music to my ears.” Alastor told him.
”Ugh, you’re the worst!” Takuma complained and crossed his arms.
Alastor's grin widened and he was about to stir the pot even more when his shadows whispered danger. He couldn’t say where the danger was but his shadow sent to investigate while he continued to tease the children and move them along.
Best not to scare them. He thought as they headed on towards the end of the alley. He almost had them safe enough to double back and find out what triggered his alarms when Takuma’s ear flickered towards another side alley leading in the wrong direction. Alastor tightened his hold on Takuma’s shoulders, knowing his child was too inquisitive for his own good.
”Come along now, we’ll find you a little matcha drink thing you like so much.” He tried to bribe.
”I heard something.” Takuma muttered and paused at the turn and melted from Alastor’s hold to take off down the opposite way.
”Fuck!” Alastor cursed and he and Charlie took off after him.
”Takuma please don’t do this!” Charlie exclaimed. “You’re not a real detective, you're fourteen and faint at the sight of blood!”
“Listen to your sister!” Alastor demanded and skirted into the shadows to cut his son off and yank him off his feet. “I don’t want to ground you so close to your birthday but I will!”
Takuma’s fluffy ears swivelled to the sound of curses and arguing. “That’s Adam and Lute, Papa.” He whispered.
Alastor winced and pulled Takuma close. “Charlie, call your father.”
Charlie nodded and yanked her phone out to hit her favorites and ring her Dad. Takuma was far too wiggly and kicked his dangling feet for Alastor to even try.
”Papa let go.”
”Oh yes, let me just allow you to find more trouble and go about my day as though you’re not the singular most important person to me and my entire job as your Papa isn’t to protect you!” Alastor snarled and hoisted Takuma under his arm like a football.
”I have to fight Lute!” Takuma insisted and continued to kick his feet and try to free his arms.
”Use your brains, she’s an experienced fighter and you are a skinny teen who still trips over his own two feet when he gets excited.” Alastor reminded him as he led Charlie back the way they came to wait for Lucifer.
”She killed me, I want to beat the shit out of her!” Takuma growled.
Alastor sighed and his smile was strained. It would be easier in this moment to let it drop but no one outside their little family would see the Radio Demon without a smile. He had them back in the right direction as Charlie whispered on the phone to her Dad. He set Takuma on his feet but held him in place with his own shadows and claws.
”Listen to me,” Alastor commanded and Takuma met his eyes obediently. “When we capture them both, I’ll give you angelic steel to run right through her heart and have your revenge.”
”Alastor no!” Charlie gasped. “He can’t, he’s too young for that trauma!”
”I’ve killed before.” Takuma insisted and clenched his fists. “I want this!”
Alastor nodded along with him. “Yes I know, and I’ll make sure you get it. But it has to be safe, I won’t risk your life ever again. Do we have a deal?”
Takuma blinked and frowned. “No deals, I trust you’ll follow through but if you don’t you’re stupid limitations from a handshake won’t stop me.”
Alastor’s smile tightened. “I would never go back on our deal.”
”Yeah but the deal is vague, you might not let me do it until the trial and in a controlled environment. I want it done now.” Takuma argued back.
Alastor groaned and yanked Takuma in to hold him close. “Oh, your brain works for this but not for why you shouldn’t fight a raging bitch.”
”I understand the why, but if I just smash all the buttons I won’t have a problem.”
Alastor paused, his brain trying to understand the phrase. “I don’t even know what that means.”
”It’s a reference to playing a video game and hitting all the buttons instead of using any skill.” Charlie explained as she came over to crouch beside them. “He’s essentially saying he’ll just throw all his power at her and she won’t be able to use her skills to fight back because he’s stronger.”
Alastor felt the headache coming on. “I can promise you that it never works, ever!”
A portal opened and Lucifer along with Lilith came through.
”Let’s get this done quick, I want to move on with our lives and forget these idiots ever existed.” Lucifer groused and paused at the way they were crouched.
”Is TK alright? Panic attack?” He asked with concern.
Charlie sighed. “No, worse. Murderous intent.”
Lilith perked up. “Aww, they grow up so fast!”
Charlie made a disapproving sound at her mother as she stood. “Why don’t I take TK through the portal and back where it's safe and where he can’t stab someone?”
Lucifer suddenly panicked and waved the portal away. “Whoa whoa, hold on there.” He nervously laughed. “Whhhy don’t you three go on over to the shops and Lilith and I can take care of everything here, no problemo!”
Alastor rolled his eyes. Of course they came straight from the party set up. And neither of them liked the idea of the children alone around the sinners, especially a child. So Alastor was expected to leave this to them and pretend none of this was happening while keeping Takuma from figuring out about his party and keep him away from Lute.
Like herding cats.
The cat in question tried to spirit away in his frosty form. Alastor still hadn’t bothered to teach Takuma how to break away from his shadows and for good reason. He bubbled the misty form and waited until he heard indignant yowls to grab hold of his child and carry him under his arm again.
”I said no, you’ll listen or you can say goodbye to that blasted talking device.”
”You’re so old just say cellphone!”
”Ha no, I hate that you have one and I hate that you made me acquire one. I’ll call them what I like, now come along.” He jeered and patted Takuma on the head where it hung at his waist. He used to be that short, how easy it was to just scoop him up and walk away. Now Alastor had to manhandle him to do anything, it was so annoying.
”Maybe I should invest in the baby leash…”
Takuma looked up in horror. “DON’T YOU DARE!”
”I could use my shadows so you couldn’t chew through…”
”I’ll bite you!”
”It would make going out anywhere so much easier, you always wander off when you see something shiny.”
“Am I a bird?!” Takuma exclaimed as he sounded more and more insulted.
Alastor smirked as he and Charlie made it from the alley and onto the street. Takuma chittered with irritation and it tickled Alastor to no end. There was once a time he would have felt hurt that Alastor thought him so wild. Takuma used to pride himself on being quiet, polite and whatever someone needed him to be. Now he pushed back, gave Alastor no end of trouble and fool-hardy. He liked to think he was a little hero but Alastor just saw it as impulsive. Most heroic types were and the exact reason Alastor took raising Takuma to be a brat so very seriously. No more self-sacrificing or silly ideas of helping others at the detriment of himself.
Charlie kept checking her phone, obviously worried about Lilith and Lucifer. He touched her shoulder and tried to reassure her that everything would be fine.
”Adam is nothing but a sinner and Lute is nothing compared to your mother. Don’t worry yourself too much dear.”
Charlie gave a watery smile and reached up to squeeze his claw. “Thanks Alastor, I know you’re right. It’s just that Eve and Adam have gotten the drop on Mom and Dad before.”
Alastor waved her worries away before quickly grabbing Takuma when he tried to dart away. “It’ll all work out and they’ll join us afterwards. We’ll go for lunch.”
Charlie watched how Takuma growled and tried to break free from Alastor yet the demon paid him no mind, acting as though they were on a simple stroll.
”I guess you’re right but uhh, shouldn’t you acknowledge that Takuma is acting like that?”
Alastor blinked while Takuma tried to pry his claw from his arm. “Like what dear?”
”Like a feral animal?” Charlie giggled.
Alastor just smiled and yanked Takuma closer and grabbed his other arm to hold them both up and march him along. “No, no. Takuma is just expressing himself and I’m making sure he’s doing it in a healthy way.”
”Papa stoop!”
Alastor laughed. “I don’t think I will, we both know you’re dead set on chasing after them and I’m not about to let you put yourself in dang—“
A concussive blast shook the little shopping center, blowing wind so hard it caused Alastor and Charlie to stumble. Alastor pulled Takuma close and shielded him from the blast. In turn Takuma hugged him back and hid his face in Alastor’s chest.
“What was that?” Takuma asked as he pulled back enough to look up at Alastor.
The Radio Demon cradled the back of his son’s head protectively as he tried to make sense of what was going on when sinners started screaming in fright. They all looked up to see damnable exorcists flying above, right where Lucifer and Lilith had been.
Alastor was confused by the sight. Exorcists shouldn’t be around anymore, the angels used for that were disbanded now. The very sight brought back memories of fighting Adam and Takuma’s broken arm. Alastor tightened his grip on his son, reminding himself that Takuma took a blow meant for him.
”Papa,” his kit murmured against his chest. “We need to help.”
”Your father and Lilith can handle themselves. We’re taking a detour and going to my home in Cannibal Town.” Alastor snipped and reached out for Charlie.
An exorcist almost caught his hand with her blade. Alastor dipped into the shadows with Takuma to move back and protect his boy. His shadow left his side to grab Charlie for him and bring her to him. He summoned his cane and blocked Charlie behind him while keeping Takuma plastered to his front.
”I don’t understand?” Charlie questioned from behind his back. “There shouldn’t be exorcists anymore!”
”I’ll be sure to let them know, dear.” Alastor replied as he shot tendrils out to combat their assailants.
Takuma turned with his back to Alastor’s chest now, his Papa’s arm wrapped tight around his midsection. “Papa, you can’t hold them off!”
”Yes I can, now that I have the power of a celestial being!” Alastor corrected and his staff glowed its eerie green light before his poppets came out from the ground.
”It’s been so long since you all got to play, put on a good show for me now!” Alastor crooned and swept his staff out to release a wave of magic that singed the angelic being’s feathers and caused them to drop from the air. A perfect snack for his poppets.
Takuma grabbed at his arm to pull himself free but Alastor snarled and tightened his vice like grip. “Don’t even think about it, Takuma. I don’t want a hero today, I want to go home with my son in one piece.”
Charlie shot out her fiery musical notes at one of the angels that got too close. “He’s right TK, this isn’t safe. Please don’t get hurt, I’m really tired of our family getting hurt.”
Takuma frowned and watched the sky light up with lightning from where his Dad was fighting. “I’m sorry, but I have a really bad feeling about this. I feel like if I don’t go over there, something really bad is going to happen.” He explained and turned to frost.
Alastor felt panic set in when his arm held nothing. Fear for his baby had him tearing off after that misty form. Charlie yelped and chased after them both a second later.
”They might need some help!” Charlie reasoned as she ran, pumping her fists and chest out to keep up.
Alastor snarled in frustration as he chased after Takuma back the way they came. For someone with short legs you’d think Alastor could catch him, but that little ice trick where he skated along an icy trail caused Takuma to move as fast as his shadows. By the time he caught up with his boy and grabbed him around his middle and yanked him against his chest, the three of them were in the midst of a troubling sight.
A giant portal was where a building used to be. Lucifer was trying to close it while Lilith fought Adam and Lute at once. Lucifer noticed them first and winced.
”Uh, might need a bit of help on this one actually!” Lucifer called out as he pressed his magic into the gaping portal yet the thing only seemed to grow aggravated by the notion and shot out electricity with every push of Lucifer’s magic.
Charlie ran towards Lucifer and tried to help with her own magic. Alastor hefted Takuma up with one arm like a football and his other held out his cane to conjure his poppets here and push out his tendrils to grab at exorcists that tried to attack Charlie and Lucifer.
Takuma grunted in pain and pushed at his arm. “Put me down!”
”Not a chance.” Alastor snarled out while he directed his minions and magic. “I’m not losing you, if I could get a second to focus I’d be sending you off to the townhome until I could fetch you.”
Alastor was sure he could handle this while keeping Takuma close at hand. But that was all for not when Lute came at him with her sword arched. His fear reared up—Takuma gurgling his own blood, Alastor telling him it would be alright while he screamed for Lucifer, Takuma so small and scared as he bled out in his arms until his last breath—and Takuma snarled from his arm before putting his real strength against Alastor’s hold, causing his arm to buckle. Takuma’s feet hit the ground for only a split second before his wings were out and he shot forward, a mimic of her sword in ice form.
Alastor couldn’t breathe, he scrambled after his baby. No! Not again, I won’t lose you again!
Takuma caught her sword on his icy blade and put all his strength into throwing her off balance. Lute hadn’t expected any real fight and stumbled back mid-air. Takuma in turn took advantage of her lapse and tackled her to the ground. Lute was still a soldier however and rolled them expertly to give herself the upper hand.
”I’m going to fix everything.” She hissed as they struggled, even with her experience Takuma thrashed and swung with all his might. “You won’t remember them, you won’t be tainted. You’ll go to Heaven and never know that fucking Radio Demon ever existed once we’re done!”
Takuma’s eyes widened at her words before he snarled and his blue eyes turned green and filled with black.
”Don’t you touch my Papa!” He screamed and his bones cracked as his frame grew. “I’ll end this when I DEVOUR YOU!”
His teeth snapped at Lute and she raised her golden arm in defense. Takuma bit down and swung her around to slam into the side of the other building, he yanked at her arm to rip it off but Lute’s exorcists came to her aid and tried to run him through. Alastor was there and he blocked their advances by standing on the kitsune’s back. There was no response from Takuma, only single minded intensity to end the person who threatened everything he loved again.
Lilith was doing fine against Adam until his little minions with wings distracted her. She grabbed two and knocked their heads together before throwing them bodily away. The break was all Adam needed to get away though. He grabbed a discarded sword and went to cut off Takuma’s massive head.
Alastor’s staff took the blow, but this time it didn’t break from angelic power. The magic glowed blue for a moment when the blade and staff met and helped Alastor push him back.
”You will not take my child again!” Alastor growled and swung a good old fashioned punch to Adam’s jaw to send him flying back.
A yelp from Takuma made him choke on a gasp as the kitsune pulled away from Lute and he shrank down until Alastor had him curled up in his grasp. Takuma’s left side bled and he pressed his claw to the wound.
”Takuma, Takuma?!” He panicked.
”I’m fine,” Takuma panted and moved his Papa’s claw to ice over the wound. “I’m fine, it’s not that deep.” He promised and used Alastor’s shoulder to stand. He had a cut across his cheek that bled as well and Alastor had to ball his fist to hide the shake of his hand.
”You shouldn’t be here, I need to get you out—“ Alastor stressed but Takuma was already moving when Lute and Adam started to run.
”I’m sorry Papa,” Takuma whispered. “But whatever they’re doing, I can’t let them win. You’re everything to me, I can’t lose you.”
Alastor felt like someone stabbed him in the heart as Takuma slipped away before he could stop him. He scrambled to follow after his baby but the exorcists got in his way. He dodged their attacks and saw Adam and Lute jump into the portal and Takuma followed close behind. Charlie screamed after him and followed him into the portal.
Lucifer shouted. “NO KIDS STOP!”
The portal shrank rapidly and all Alastor could think was—
NOT AGAIN NOT AGAIN!
”WAIT ALASTOR STOP!”
NO, NOT AGAIN!